Penn State and Paterno: An Absence of Morality

No one will ever know why a sick, evil man like Jerry Sandusky became the type of person he is. But now, according to a report released last week by the former director of the FBI Louis Freeh, everyone knows why he was allowed to practice his craft for so many years on the campus of Penn State. The scathing report shows that Paterno and the University knew of Sankusky’s abuse of young boys back as far as May 1998. In essence the report summed up: “The avoidance of the consequence of bad publicity is the most significant, but not the only cause, for this failure to protect child victims, and report to authorities.” Just reading this report will make your skin crawl. At one point in time, University officials, after several reports of abuse by Sandusky, wanted to go to the authorities, but the idea was rejected by Paterno. When Sandusky retired from coaching back in 1999, he was granted “Imeritus” status by the University, allowing Sandusky complete access to the college recreational facilities. In 1999, he was allowed to attend the Alamo Bowl, staying in the team hotel with a young boy. The college virtually subsidized the “The Second Mile”, which turned out to be nothing more than a hunting ground for young victims. Who can forget that weasel Mike McQuerry, a member of the coaching staff, who witnessed Sandusky abusing a boy in the Penn State locker room? He was so enamored by the presence of Paterno, that he personally didn’t go to the authorities. He then, for the next ten years, witnessed Sandusky with young boys in tow. You can go on, and on. My favorite part is; in the time between the bringing of charges against Sandusky, and the time of his arrest, it has been reported that Paterno signed off on a sweetheart of a retirement deal. All this deceit, lying, and a total disregard for the welfare of these children, all for winning on the football field. Yes, Joe. Most of your players graduate. You didn’t rack up any NCAA violations. You donated mightily to the revered Penn State, and you had more power than the University president. I don’t know what the college plans to do with that statue of “Joe Pa” on campus. Just don’t expect everyone to kneel down in front of it.